Sitter and Barfoot Veterans Care Center: 2026 Guide

Sitter and Barfoot Veterans Care Center: Eligibility, Services, and How to Apply

The Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center (SBVCC) is a 200-bed state-operated skilled nursing facility in Richmond, Virginia, providing long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, and a secure 40-bed memory care unit exclusively to honorably discharged Virginia veterans. It is owned and managed by the Commonwealth of Virginia under the Department of Veterans Services — not by the federal VA — and is located on the campus of the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center at 1601 Broad Rock Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23224.

Quick Facts

What Is the Sitter and Barfoot Veterans Care Center?

The Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center is a state veterans home in Richmond, Virginia, established in 2008. It is named for two Medal of Honor recipients — Colonel Van T. Barfoot (World War II) and Colonel Carl L. Sitter (Korea) — and was created to provide “high quality, compassionate and comprehensive nursing care” to Virginia veterans.

It is not a VA hospital. SBVCC is owned and managed by the Commonwealth of Virginia under the Department of Veterans Services (DVS) . The federal VA does not operate the facility. However, because SBVCC sits on the McGuire VA Medical Center campus, residents have convenient access to the VA medical continuum, and the facility works closely with McGuire on specialty care.

Why it matters: Virginia veterans who need nursing home-level care often face limited options, long waiting lists, and high costs at private facilities. SBVCC provides a veteran-specific alternative with private rooms, on-site therapy, an in-house pharmacy, and a dedicated memory care unit — at a daily rate that is often lower than private nursing homes, especially for veterans who qualify for the VA per diem credit.

Facility Overview: Rooms, Units, and Amenities

SBVCC is a single-level, 200-bed facility with all private rooms and private baths. The layout includes four nursing units:

Amenities include:

• Private rooms with private baths and roll-in showers, all handicap accessible.

• In-house pharmacy — SBVCC does not allow medications filled by outside pharmacies.

• Experienced therapy department with physical, occupational, and speech therapists.

• Full-time social worker assigned to each unit.

• Barber/beauty shop, library, game room, activity rooms, internet cafe, and resident lounges.

• Landscaped enclosed courtyards and an outdoor walking trail.

• Wander Garden for memory care residents.

• Registered dietician oversight for all meals and special diets.

Important limitation: The facility is a smoke-free campus. Smoking, vaping, and smokeless tobacco are prohibited in the building and on the grounds.

Services and Levels of Care

SBVCC provides three core service lines: long-term skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, and memory care. It does not provide every type of clinical service. The admissions policy lists specific exclusions that families should review before applying.

Long-Term Skilled Nursing Care

Long-term care is for veterans who cannot safely live at home and need 24-hour nursing supervision, assistance with daily activities, or chronic disease management. SBVCC’s long-term units serve veterans with a wide range of medical needs, including mobility limitations, chronic wounds, diabetes, and post-stroke care.

Short-Term Rehabilitation

Short-term rehabilitation is for veterans recovering from hospitalization, surgery, stroke, or injury who need intensive therapy before returning home. The rehabilitation gym is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and staffed by physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists who design individualized care plans.

The rehab department uses progressive therapy programs and modalities including hot and cold packs, shortwave diathermy, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound. The goal is to restore functional ability and help veterans return to independent living to the greatest extent possible.

Memory Care (Alzheimer’s and Dementia)

The 40-bed secure memory care unit is designed for veterans with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. It features:

• Specially trained staff and programming.

• Two enclosed courtyards for safe outdoor access.

• A Wander Garden.

• Engagement technology (iN2L/LifeLoop) with over 6,700 pieces of clinically backed content for personalized activities.

Services SBVCC Does Not Provide

SBVCC’s October 2024 admissions policy addendum lists clinical services the facility cannot provide. Families should review this list before applying:

• No in-house or peritoneal dialysis.

• No ventilators.

• No in-house blood transfusions.

• No in-house chemotherapy (some oral chemotherapy may be reviewed).

• No PICC lines or central lines.

• No NG tubes.

• No frequent deep suctioning.

• No external defibrillators.

• No Trilogy machines.

• No TPN.

• No Dobutamine drips.

• Limited capacity for some psychiatric needs and aggression.

• Motorized wheelchairs/scooters must be assessed by the rehab department before use; do not bring them at admission.

Eligibility: Who Qualifies for SBVCC?

Admission to SBVCC is limited to veterans who meet three basic requirements and additional clinical criteria. Spouses and dependents are not admitted unless they are veterans themselves.

The Three Basic Eligibility Requirements

1. Honorable discharge from active duty — the veteran must have served at least 6 months of active duty (other than training) in the U.S. Armed Forces.

2. Virginia residency — the veteran must be a Virginia resident at the time of admission, or must have entered military service from Virginia.

3. Medical need for nursing home level of care — the veteran must require skilled nursing care that cannot be safely provided at home.

What Does Not Matter for Eligibility

• A service-connected disability rating is not required. Veterans with a 0% rating or no VA rating at all can be admitted if they meet the basic requirements.

• VA healthcare enrollment is not a prerequisite, though the facility collects a VA Form 10-10EZ at admission.

• Age is not a strict cutoff, but the facility serves adults who need nursing home care.

Who Is Not Eligible

• Spouses of veterans, unless the spouse is a veteran and meets all requirements independently.

• Veterans with a dishonorable discharge.

• Non-veterans, including dependent children.

• Veterans whose clinical needs exceed the facility’s licensed services (see the exclusion list above).

What to do next: If you believe you meet the basic requirements, call the Admissions Department at (804) 371-8434 and ask for an application packet. The admissions coordinator can screen for eligibility before you gather medical records.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

The application process is managed by the SBVCC Admissions Department, not by the federal VA. The facility provides an application packet after an initial eligibility screening. Applicants may be placed on a waiting list if no bed is immediately available.

Step 1: Call Admissions for a Screening

Call (804) 371-8434 or (804) 371-8433. The admissions coordinator will ask basic questions about the veteran’s discharge status, Virginia residency, and medical needs. If the veteran appears eligible, the facility will send an application packet.

Step 2: Complete the Application Packet

The packet includes:

• Application forms for SBVCC.

• VA Form 10-10EZ — required even if the veteran has already completed one for VA healthcare. The form must be signed by the veteran or the veteran’s POA.

• Authorization for Release of Health Information Records — complete only the highlighted portions; the facility will complete the rest when requesting records.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

All admissions require copies of:

• DD-214 (or equivalent discharge document showing date of entry, date of discharge, service number, and character of service).

• Medicare card.

• Medicare Part D insurance card.

• Secondary insurance card (if applicable).

• Medicaid card (if applicable).

• Power of Attorney or guardianship documentation.

• Living will.

Step 4: Gather Medical Records (Only When Requested)

SBVCC asks families not to gather medical records until the Admissions Department requests them. When requested, the records needed vary based on whether the veteran is coming from a hospital/skilled nursing facility or from home.

From hospital/SNF:

• Current physician orders.

• Current MARs (medication administration records).

• Current nurse’s notes.

• Chest X-ray/PPD (within 30 days).

• Recent labs.

• Current physician notes and rehab progress notes.

• Current History & Physical.

• Completed DMAS-96, DMAS-95, and UAI (1204 from McGuire).

• Psych eval/progress notes.

• Operative reports.

• Consultations.

• DNR (if applicable).

• Discharge summary/physician discharge orders.

From home:

• Current Physician History & Physical with medication list (within the past 30 days).

• Chest X-ray or PPD (within the past 30 days).

• Office visit progress notes (current).

• Completed DMAS-96, DMAS-95, and UAI.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Return all completed forms to:

Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center
1601 Broad Rock Blvd
Richmond, VA 23224

Step 6: Clinical Review and Waiting List

After the application is complete, SBVCC reviews the medical information to determine whether the facility can meet the veteran’s needs. If the veteran is eligible and a bed is available, the facility schedules admission. If no bed is available, the veteran is placed on the Potential Admissions Waiting List.

Costs and Payment Options

SBVCC’s daily rate depends on VA per diem approval. The facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, private pay, and VA per diem credit for veterans who qualify.

Daily Rate

The VA per diem facility credit is available to veterans who are 70% or higher service-connected disabled. Most veterans in the facility qualify for this credit, which substantially reduces the daily rate.

Accepted Payment Sources

• Medicare — SBVCC accepts traditional Medicare for covered skilled nursing and rehabilitation stays.

• Medicaid — accepted for eligible residents.

• Private insurance — accepted.

• Private pay — for residents who do not qualify for other coverage.

• VA per diem credit — for veterans rated 70% or higher service-connected.

Important: SBVCC does not participate in Medicare Advantage plans and cannot admit patients on them. Veterans with Medicare Advantage coverage should confirm their plan type before applying.

Medications and Co-Pays

SBVCC has an in-house pharmacy. The facility cannot dispense medications filled by outside pharmacies. Once admitted, the SBVCC pharmacy fills medications and bills the resident’s insurance. The resident is responsible for any co-pays required by that insurance.

The federal VA does not provide medications to residents of nursing facilities. If a veteran was receiving medications through the VA, the SBVCC pharmacy will take over medication management after admission.

Comparison: SBVCC vs. Private Nursing Home vs. VA Community Living Center

Decision rule: A veteran who needs nursing home care and wants a veteran-specific environment with private rooms should start with SBVCC if they are a Virginia resident or entered service from Virginia. A veteran with 70%+ service-connected rating may also be eligible for a VA Community Living Center, which is federally operated. Veterans should compare both options with a VA-accredited VSO before deciding.

Appeals and Denials

If SBVCC denies admission, the denial is not a VA disability decision. It is a state facility admissions decision based on eligibility or clinical capacity. Veterans and families can:

1. Ask the Admissions Department for the specific reason for denial.

2. Provide additional documentation if the denial was based on missing records.

3. Ask whether the denial is based on a clinical exclusion listed in the admissions policy addendum.

4. Contact the Virginia Department of Veterans Services at DVS for guidance on other state veterans services or long-term care options.

5. Contact a VA-accredited VSO if the denial is related to a VA benefit or rating that affects eligibility for other programs.

Deadline note: SBVCC denials do not carry the same 1-year decision review timeline as VA disability decisions. Families should act promptly and ask for written reasons.

Latest Changes and 2026 Context

October 2024 admissions policy addendum. SBVCC published a formal list of clinical exclusions — services the facility cannot provide. Families should review this list before applying.

Temporary medical staffing (2026). The Virginia Department of Veterans Services issued an RFP for temporary medical personnel to support SBVCC, reflecting ongoing staffing needs in a competitive nursing labor market.

Isolation wing renovation (2025–2026). SBVCC solicited bids for a CARES Act-funded renovation to create an isolation wing for quarantine and high-PPE environments, improving infection control capacity.

Smoke-free campus enforcement. SBVCC remains a strict smoke-free and vape-free campus; this policy is enforced for residents, staff, and visitors.

VA per diem remains critical. The 70% service-connected threshold for VA per diem credit continues to determine whether a veteran pays $272/day or $400/day. Veterans who believe they may qualify should confirm their rating with a VSO before applying.

Common Questions

1. Is Sitter & Barfoot part of the VA?
No. SBVCC is owned and managed by the Commonwealth of Virginia under the Department of Veterans Services. It is located on the McGuire VA Medical Center campus but is not a federal VA facility.

2. Can spouses of veterans be admitted to Sitter & Barfoot?
No. SBVCC only admits veterans. A spouse would have to be a veteran themselves and meet all eligibility requirements to be admitted.

3. Do I need a service-connected disability rating to be admitted?
No. SBVCC does not require a service-connected rating. Veterans with a 0% rating or no VA rating can be admitted if they meet the discharge, residency, and medical need requirements.

4. How much does Sitter & Barfoot cost per day?
The daily rate is $272** with **VA per diem approval** and **$400 without approval. The VA per diem credit is available to veterans rated 70% or higher service-connected.

5. What is the VA per diem credit and who qualifies?
The VA per diem facility credit reduces the daily rate for veterans who are 70% or more service-connected disabled. Most veterans in the facility qualify. The credit is based on VA approval of patient per diem payment.

6. Does SBVCC accept Medicare Advantage plans?
No. SBVCC does not participate in Medicare Advantage plans and cannot admit patients on them. Veterans with traditional Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or private pay can be admitted.

7. Can I bring my own medications to Sitter & Barfoot?
No. SBVCC has an in-house pharmacy and cannot dispense medications filled by outside pharmacies. The SBVCC pharmacy will fill medications and bill the resident’s insurance; the resident is responsible for co-pays.

8. Is Sitter & Barfoot a smoking facility?
No. SBVCC is a smoke-free campus. Smoking, vaping, and smokeless tobacco are prohibited in the building and on the grounds.

9. How do I apply for admission to Sitter & Barfoot?
Call the Admissions Department at (804) 371-8434. After an eligibility screening, the facility sends an application packet that includes VA Form 10-10EZ, DD-214, insurance cards, and medical records requirements.

10. What documents do I need to apply?
You will need a DD-214 (or equivalent discharge document), Medicare card, Medicare Part D card, secondary insurance card (if applicable), Medicaid card (if applicable), Power of Attorney or guardianship documentation, and living will.

11. Does SBVCC provide dialysis, ventilators, or chemotherapy?
No. SBVCC’s admissions policy excludes in-house dialysis, ventilators, in-house blood transfusions, in-house chemotherapy, PICC lines, NG tubes, TPN, and several other clinical services. Families should review the full exclusion list before applying.

12. What if there is a waiting list?
If no bed is immediately available, eligible veterans are placed on the Potential Admissions Waiting List. The Admissions Department can explain the current wait time and whether other DVS facilities have availability.

Key Takeaways

• Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center is a 200-bed state veterans home in Richmond, Virginia, operated by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services — not the federal VA.

• All 200 rooms are private with private baths; the facility includes a 40-bed secure memory care unit.

• Eligibility requires an honorable discharge, Virginia residency (or entry into service from Virginia), and medical need for nursing home-level care.

• A service-connected disability rating is not required for admission.

• Spouses are not admitted unless they are veterans themselves.

• The daily rate is $272 with VA per diem approval and $400 without; the per diem credit is available to veterans rated 70% or higher service-connected.

• SBVCC does not accept Medicare Advantage plans; it accepts traditional Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, private pay, and VA per diem.

• The facility has clinical exclusions — no dialysis, ventilators, in-house chemotherapy, PICC lines, NG tubes, TPN, or several other services.

• Applications go through the SBVCC Admissions Department at (804) 371-8434; the packet includes VA Form 10-10EZ and requires a DD-214.

• SBVCC is a smoke-free campus — no smoking, vaping, or smokeless tobacco.

Official Resources

• Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS): https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/

• SBVCC main page (DVS): https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/benefits/veterans-care-centers/sitter-barfoot-veterans-care-center/

• SBVCC Admissions contact: (804) 371-8434; John.Oglesby@dvs.virginia.gov

• Virginia Department of Health licensure: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/

• Medicare.gov (nursing home compare): https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: https://www.va.gov/

• VA Form 10-10EZ (health benefits application): https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-10-10ez/

• VA Community Living Centers: https://www.va.gov/geriatrics/

• Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (veteran services): https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/